African Wildlife & Environment Issue 80

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

Because I love Dandelion so much, I find myself searching for the perfectly full, white seed balls as I walk the busy gardens at the Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre. There must be a hundred seeds on a ripe stem, and who can resist blowing the full round seed heads into the wind and making a wish or two? This is excellent seed dispersal as the seeds get carried effortlessly with their little parasols, catching the faintest breeze until the seed lands in a space ready to germinate. This hardy garden weed with the most astonishing healing ability, is a pure delight and foragers' dream. I hope you will grow it , pick it, and love it as I do!

Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre Box 41, DeWildt, 0251 Tel: 071 161 6441 012 001 4142 (mornings only) Fax: 086 531-7669 Email: margaretroberts@lantic.net

The Herbal Centre is in the Hartbeespoort / DeWildt area (GPS: -25° 41′ 03.25″, +27° 55′ 04.06″) on the way to Brits, against the northern slopes of the great Magaliesberg. We are located against the mountain and therefore have bad cell-phone reception. Please SMS if your call doesn’t reach us, we will gladly return your call. Hours of business • EVERY Monday to Friday. Office open for your calls, emails, bookings and orders. • Monday – Group bookings and lectures. • Tuesday – Group bookings and lectures. • Wednesday – 8:30 – 4pm. Open to the public. • Thursday – Group bookings and lectures. • Friday – Group bookings / and lectures. • Saturday – Only the first Saturday of each month is open to the public from 8h30 – 4pm. • See the events page for specials dates. • Sunday – Group lunch bookings &Wedding Functions ONLY.

Sandy Roberts The Herbal Centre Hartbeespoort 071 161 6441

For more about Dandel ions and other herbs read Indigenous Heal ing Plants by Margaret and Sandy Rober ts. Avai lable at major book out lets or order di rect via SMS on 071 161 6441.

Holiday picks

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Available from the Struik Nature online store www.struiknatureclub.co.za and all leading bookshops

25 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 80 (2021)